Tomorrow's world
UK tourists and tourism organisations are being asked to nominate environmentally-sensitive tourism projects at home and abroad for the British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow awards.
The annual awards aim to raise the awareness of the world's role models for sustainable tourism.
The judges, chaired by environmentalist David Bellamy, are looking for projects that benefit the local community, protect the natural and cultural heritage, control energy and water use, educate local people and visitors, and contribute towards a better life in the future.
Categories include national parks, accommodation (including resorts and cruiseships), old and new buildings, tour companies and large-scale projects.
Entries have to be submitted by May 1. For an entry form, contact BA Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, Australasia House, Waterside (HBBG), PO Box 365, Harmondsworth, UB7 OGB. Telephone 020-8738 6500, or visit www.britishairways.com/tourism.
Ryanair expands
Ryanair is adding seven new routes from Stansted airport from April 5, including its first services to Austria and Belgium. The new destinations are Brussels, Salzburg, Esbjerg in Denmark, Pescara and Trieste in Italy, and Gothenburg and Stockholm in Sweden. Return fares will start at £49, excluding tax, to Brussels, where there will be six flights daily.
Ryanair has also announced that it will be increasing the frequency of its flights from Stansted to Dublin, Shannon and Prestwick.
Chief executive Michael O'Leary said that Ryanair was continuing its policy of increasing competitive pressure on European airlines and their "rip-off" fares. This summer Ryanair will fly on 52 routes to 47 destinations around Europe. Telephone 0870 1569569, or visit www.ryanair.com.
Channel hopping
Almost a quarter of adult holidaymakers originating from the UK visited France in 1999, according to British Lifestyles 2001, a new report which is published by Mintel.
The report states that the number of UK holidaymakers making the quick hop across the Channel went up by a total of 63 % during the last decade, to 8 million.
Transatlantic drift
There was a 10% increase in UK visitors to Canada last year, the total being 879,323, according to Statistics Canada. The biggest increase was in the winter months.
